Improving access to high-quality health care in rural communities was the focus of a White House roundtable discussion held Jan. 16, where President Donald Trump highlighted a new federal health care policy aimed at strengthening rural health systems nationwide.
Among the participants was Dr. Andrew McCue, a cardiologist at AdventHealth Gordon, who shared firsthand insight into the challenges faced by rural hospitals and the opportunities to improve care close to home for patients in communities like Northwest Georgia.
The discussion centered on the Rural Health Transformation Program, a nationwide initiative committing $50 billion over five years to support rural health care systems in all 50 states. According to the administration, the program is designed to strengthen access to care, encourage innovation and support the long-term sustainability of rural providers.
Dr. McCue’s participation reflects AdventHealth’s broader commitment to expanding access to care in rural areas through coordinated, patient-centered approaches. AdventHealth operates more than 2,000 care sites across the country, including locations in Florida, Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.
For rural patients, access to high-quality care often depends on proximity to services and providers. The Rural Health Transformation Program gives states flexibility to invest in solutions that improve efficiency, modernize care delivery and help patients receive care closer to where they live.
“Being a physician in rural Georgia, our communities have many needs,” Dr. McCue said during the discussion. “Our goals are to expand access to care, improve efficiency and improve patients’ proximity to their doctors so that they can get high-quality care close to home.”
The program also emphasizes collaboration among rural providers and regional health systems to better coordinate services, strengthen workforce recruitment and retention, and adopt innovative care models tailored to local needs. Funding may be used to modernize facilities and technology, making it easier for patients to access care without having to travel long distances.
As the Rural Health Transformation Program moves into its implementation phase, health care leaders say the investment has the potential to support a stronger, more sustainable future for rural health care — one focused on reliable, efficient and whole-person care delivered close to home.